Childhood Maltreatment and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Findings from the General Population.

OBJECTIVE Evidence suggests that childhood maltreatment (CM) is cross-sectionally and prospectively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, its association with proxy markers of atherosclerosis has hardly been investigated. Thus, in this general population study, CM was related to carotid plaque and intima-media thickness (cIMT). METHODS Adults from the general population free of any CVD (N = 1909; mean age = 50.4 (SD = 13.6) years, 53.9% women) completed the self-report Childhood Trauma Questionnaire for the assessment of emotional, physical and sexual abuse as well as emotional and physical neglect; additionally, an ultrasound of the carotid arteries was performed in each participant. RESULTS At least one type of CM was reported by 25% of the participants. Carotid plaque was significantly more frequent in those with CM compared to those without (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.19 - 1.81). Accounting for age and sex rendered it non-significant (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: .81 - 1.42). Emotional abuse and physical neglect were significantly associated with both cIMT and plaque occurrence, but these associations were fully explained by risk factors. Neither sexual nor physical abuse were related to proxy markers of atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the relationship between CM types and subclinical atherosclerosis as well as its clinical endpoints is complex and remains inconclusive calling for further research.